24 days in Illinois, Vermont & Wisconsin Itinerary
Created using Inspirock United States travel planner
Start: Christchurch
Fly
1
Chicago
— 5 nights
Fly
2
Stowe
— 5 nights
Fly
3
Milwaukee
— 3 nights
Drive
4
Wisconsin Dells
— 4 nights
Drive
5
Galena
— 2 nights
Drive
6
Springfield
— 2 nights
Fly
End: Christchurch
Sat, Jul 1 - Mon, Jul 24
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Chicago — 5 nights
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Windy City
A huge and vibrant city, Chicago is home to top-notch theaters, shops, museums, galleries, and restaurants.Chicago is known for sightseeing, museums, and nightlife. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: admire the masterpieces at The Art Institute of Chicago, visit The Magnificent Mile, take in panoramic vistas at Skydeck Chicago - Willis Tower, and learn more about the world around you at Field Museum.
For traveler tips, ratings, more things to do, and tourist information, read Chicago online route planner.
Christchurch, New Zealand to Chicago is an approximately 21-hour flight. Due to the time zone difference, you'll gain 18 hours traveling from Christchurch to Chicago. Traveling from Christchurch in July, expect Chicago to be warmer, temps between 33°C and 22°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 6th (Thu) so you can catch the flight to Stowe.
Side Trip
Highlights from your trip
Stowe — 5 nights
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The Ski Capital of the East
Stowe bustles in winter when skiers and snowboarders flock here to challenge themselves on the long, steep trails careening down Vermont's tallest peak, Mt.Get out of town with these interesting Stowe side-trips: Fisher Covered Railroad Bridge (in Wolcott), Saint Johnsbury (The Dog Chapel & Dog Mountain Home of Stephen Huneck Gallery) and Burlington (Burlington Bike Path & Waterfront Park). There's lots more to do: hike along Stowe Recreation Path, take in the dramatic scenery at Moss Glen Falls, get curious at Montshire Museum of Science, and relax in the rural setting at Baird Farm Vermont Maple Syrup.
To see ratings, maps, photos, and more tourist information, go to the Stowe road trip planning site.
You can fly from Chicago to Stowe in 4 hours. Other options are to drive; or do a combination of bus and car. The time zone difference moving from Central Standard Time to Eastern Standard Time is 1 hour. Plan for slightly colder nights when traveling from Chicago in July since evenings lows in Stowe dip to 15°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 11th (Tue) early enough to fly to Milwaukee.
Side Trips
Highlights from your trip
Milwaukee — 3 nights
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Brew City
Milwaukee boasts well-preserved historical districts with a rich European past and a strong beer-brewing tradition.Venture out of the city with trips to Bookworm Gardens (in Sheboygan), Road America (in Elkhart Lake) and Racine (Matt's Produce & SC Johnson Headquarters). There's still lots to do: head outdoors with Ray's The Limit Charters, walk around Petrifying Springs Park, explore the world behind art at Cedarburg Art Museum, and examine the collection at Harley-Davidson Museum.
For ratings, reviews, where to stay, and other tourist information, use the Milwaukee tour itinerary builder.
Fly from Stowe to Milwaukee in 4 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train. Traveling from Stowe to Milwaukee, you'll gain 1 hour due to the time zone difference. Traveling from Stowe in July, expect a bit warmer with lows of 20°C in Milwaukee. Finish your sightseeing early on the 14th (Fri) to allow enough time to drive to Wisconsin Dells.
Side Trips
Highlights from your trip
Wisconsin Dells — 4 nights
Waterpark Capital of the World
Named after a nearby scenic gorge famous for its steep sandstone formations, Wisconsin Dells features more than 20 water parks, making it one of the most popular vacation areas in this region.Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Wisconsin Dells: Taliesin Preservation: Frank Lloyd Wright Visitor Center (in Spring Green) and Madison (Allen Centennial Gardens & Olbrich Botanical Gardens). Plan for a day of cool, family-friendly fun on the 17th (Mon) at Noah's Ark Water Park. The adventure continues: get outside with Outdoor Activities, test your team's savvy at popular escape rooms, look for gifts at Kernel Popcorn's Factory, and learn about all things military at Portage WWII History Museum.
To find other places to visit, where to stay, reviews, and tourist information, you can read our Wisconsin Dells trip itinerary planner.
Getting from Milwaukee to Wisconsin Dells by car takes about 2.5 hours. Other options: take a train; or do a combination of bus and train. In July, daytime highs in Wisconsin Dells are 31°C, while nighttime lows are 17°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 18th (Tue) so you can drive to Galena.
Side Trips
Highlights from your trip
Galena — 2 nights
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Galena is the largest city in and the county seat of Jo Daviess County, Illinois, with a population of 3,429 at the 2010 census. On the 19th (Wed), steep yourself in history at Ulysses S. Grant Home, brush up on your knowledge of spirits at Blaum Bros. Distilling Co., take in the exciting artwork at River Bend Gallery, then take in the exciting artwork at Outside the Lines Art Gallery Galena, and finally get thoroughly spooked out with a ghost and vampire tour. Here are some ideas for day two: experience rural life at Original Goat Yoga Galena, then take an in-depth tour of Stockton Heritage Museum, and then walk around Krape Park.
For reviews, maps, other places to visit, and other tourist information, go to the Galena trip planner.
You can drive from Wisconsin Dells to Galena in 2.5 hours. Other options are to do a combination of train, bus, and taxi; or do a combination of train and bus. In July, plan for daily highs up to 31°C, and evening lows to 19°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 20th (Thu) so you can go by car to Springfield.
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For reviews, maps, other places to visit, and other tourist information, go to the Galena trip planner.
You can drive from Wisconsin Dells to Galena in 2.5 hours. Other options are to do a combination of train, bus, and taxi; or do a combination of train and bus. In July, plan for daily highs up to 31°C, and evening lows to 19°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 20th (Thu) so you can go by car to Springfield.
Side Trips
Highlights from your trip
Springfield — 2 nights
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Flower City
Springfield is the capital of Illinois, but its real significance is as the hometown of Abraham Lincoln.Kick off your visit on the 21st (Fri): contemplate the long history of Lincoln Home National Historic Site, get engrossed in the history at Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, and then stroll the grounds of Camp Butler National Cemetery. Keep things going the next day: look for all kinds of wild species at Lincoln Memorial Garden, then steep yourself in history at Dana-Thomas House, then don't miss a visit to Lincoln Tomb & War Memorials, and finally let little ones run wild at Washington Park.
To see other places to visit, more things to do, maps, and other tourist information, read our Springfield online visit planner.
Drive from Galena to Springfield in 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of flight and train; or fly. Expect somewhat warmer weather when traveling from Galena in July: highs in Springfield hover around 35°C, while lows dip to 22°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 22nd (Sat) so you can travel back home.
Highlights from your trip
Illinois travel guide
The Prairie State
The most populous state in the country's Midwest region, Illinois features a diverse landscape that includes both the enormous urban sprawl of Chicago and flat central plains, devoted almost entirely to farmland. With a great selection of things to do, Chicago is the state's centerpiece, featuring world-famous architecture and renowned museums. Farther away from this giant urban center, you can explore historical landmarks dedicated to local heroes Abraham Lincoln and Ernest Hemingway. The state also includes a prehistoric Native American site, one of only 20 World Heritage Sites in the United States, a unique feature well-worth adding to your itinerary.
Vermont travel guide
The Green Mountain State
Known for its autumn foliage and maple syrup, Vermont is one of the country's smallest states in terms of both population and geographic area. Despite its small size and mostly rural character, the state boasts many picturesque places to visit, including Lake Champlain, one of the nation's largest freshwater bodies. Split in half by the Green Mountains--a popular holiday destination for hiking and skiing--Vermont features a rolling landscape dotted with farms and quaint towns known for their family-run inns, antique shops, and restaurants. Be sure to explore the state's many wild areas while on vacation, but beware of the so-called "mud season," a period of a few weeks when the state's unpaved roads become undrivable due to spring thaw.
Wisconsin travel guide
The Badger State
Wisconsin is known as "America's Dairyland" because of its status as the nation's most famous producer of milk and cheese. A growing favorite with foreign tourists, the state is a perfect holiday destination for nature lovers, offering year-round outdoor activities like fishing, boating, kayaking, and hiking. Dotted with thousands of inland lakes and waterways alongside apple and cherry orchards, Wisconsin also offers numerous urban tourist attractions, its cities hosting renowned beer and art festivals each year.
